The Last # 42?

Throwing you a bender because I just thought you should know...

In 1997, baseball universally retired the number 42 throughout the major and minor leagues in honor of Jackie Robinson. The grandfather clause was implemented allowing current and active personnel wearing 42 to continue to do so until their retirement.

Pedro Martinez, Jose Lima and Mo Vaughn were a few of the final players to wear 42. In fact, Mo Vaughn was the last player to wear that number for three different clubs, the Red Sox, Angels and Mets.

Mariano Rivera of the Yankees is the last active major league player wearing 42 and he is out for the year with an injury. If he returns for next season, the clause will allow him to continue. If Rivera decides to retire instead, is that it for the number 42?

It turns out there is one other active person wearing 42 in professional baseball. Art Silber, owner of the Potomac Nationals (minor league affiliate for the Washington club) is also the first base coach. He is in his 23rd season and has announced he is retiring from coaching.

Silber grew up in Brooklyn and attended Jackie Robinson's first game on April 15, 1947. He used to wait for Robinson on a street corner from 1947 until the mid 50's just so he could walk and talk with the great Dodger. As Brooklyn was a melting pot in the late 40's, Jackie Robinson was an inspiration for many in the borough. With minorities, returning war soldiers, those still recovering from the Depression and those affected by the Holocaust, Robinson became a symbol of excellence and perseverance.

Silber wore the number 42 so he could continue to spread the message and relay the story to all those he contacted. Little Leaguers, new players to the Nationals, and fans were all lucky enough to hear the stories and receive the message from a baseball man who was there at the beginning.

But Silber is a proud man and very aware of baseball history along with being respectful of others. He has stated he would never back into the title of being the last baseball professional to wear 42. So based on Mariano Rivera being hurt and uncertain about playing again, Silber declared he has coached his last game and will hang his 42 uniform up for good.

So out of respect for Rivera, Silber ends an era as the last minor league baseball person wearing the number 42...but he will continue to communicate who Robinson was and what he did.

All this because I know more about nothing...